Graham's contract latest in history-making deals

With Saints' Jimmy Graham signing a four-year, $40 million deal, he becomes the most recent in a long line of players to receive record-setting from team owner Tom Benson. Here is a look back at the record-setting or near record-setting deals Benson has given to players and coaches.

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With Saints' Jimmy Graham signing a four-year, $40 million deal, he becomes the most recent in a long line of players to receive record-setting from team owner Tom Benson. Here is a look back at the record-setting or near record-setting deals Benson has given to players and coaches.

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Saints star tight end Jimmy Graham signing a four-year, $40 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints is no surprise.

With Saints' Jimmy Graham signing a four-year, $40 million deal, he becomes the most recent in a long line of players to receive record-setting from team owner Tom Benson. Here is a look back at the record-setting or near record-setting deals Benson has given to players and coaches.

What should also come as no surprise is that Saints owner Tom Benson shelled out another record-setting contract to a star player.

Earlier this month at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Saints team president Dennis Lauscha, speaking on behalf of Benson, who was inducted as a member of the class of 2014, said, "One thing people need to know about Mr. Benson is his commitment to winning and putting a winner on the field is unparallelled. Any time a coach has come to Mr. Benson and said, 'We need this guy to win,' he's paid that player. He wants to win championships and he's willing to spend money to do it."

Lauscha's comments are 100 percent accurate. While some fans have given Benson a hard time through the years, the facts show that Benson is an owner committed to paying his coaches and players.

Here is a look back at the record-setting or near record-setting deals Benson has given to players and coaches:

2013:Sean Payton5 years, $40 million. Payton becomes the 2nd highest paid head coach in the NFL.

2012:Drew Brees5 years, $100 million. Brees becomes the highest paid player in NFL history.

2008:Will Smith6 years, $70 million. Smith becomes the highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

2008:Charles Grant7 years, $63 million.

2006:Reggie Bush6 years, $62 million dollars. Bush's rookie contract becomes the richest in NFL history.

2005:Deuce McAllister8 years, $50 million. McAllister becomes the 2nd highest paid running back in the NFL.

2005:Joe Horn6 years, $42 million. Horn becomes one of the top 5 highest paid wide receivers in the NFL.

2002:Aaron Brooks6 years, $36 million. The deal paid Brooks more than New England's Tom Brady, who's just singed an extension with the Patriots worth $30 million dollars.

Look back: Benson not afraid to spend money on Saints to win

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With Saints' Jimmy Graham signing a four-year, $40 million deal, he becomes the most recent in a long line of players to receive record-setting from team owner Tom Benson. Here is a look back at the record-setting or near record-setting deals Benson has given to players and coaches.

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